System and method for testing a modem

ABSTRACT

A modem tester includes a signal reporting circuit which can report signals received from the modem of the computer. To test the operation of the modem in the computer, test data can be sent from the modem tester to the modem in the computer and test data can be received by the modem tester when transmitted from the modem in the computer.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority benefitunder 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/457,207,filed Dec. 7, 1999, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING A MODEM,”now U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,077, issued on Dec. 21, 2004, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the testing of communication devicesand has particular application in the testing of an internal modem on apersonal computer.

2. Description of the Related Art

More and more personal computers, including laptop and desktop models,include modems as standard equipment. With the ever expanding use of theInternet, a modem is becoming a standard accessory for a personalcomputer. A modem can be used, for example, to transmit and receiveinformation over telephone lines and other communication lines. It wouldbe useful to have a simple portable device which could be used, forexample, as part of production quality control testing and/or fieldtesting of modems which are parts of personal computers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for testing a modem.

One aspect of the invention is directed to a device for testing theoperation of a modem in a computer. The device includes a case with afirst communication port attached to the case. A signal reportingcircuit is located within the case and coupled to the firstcommunication port. The signal reporting circuit is configured to testthe transmit capability of the modem in the computer.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of testing the operation ofa modem in a computer using a portable modem testing device. The methodincludes coupling the modem in the computer to the portable modemtesting device and then initiating transmission of test data from themodem with the test data then being received at the portable modemtesting device. The transmission is then verified.

In another aspect of the method, the computer is further coupled to theportable modem testing device via an alternate communication link. Afterthe portable modem testing device has received the transmission from themodem, the portable modem testing device transmits a signal to thecomputer via the alternate communication link.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of testing theoperation of a modem in a computer using a portable modem testing devicedirected to the receive function of the modem. The modem in the computeris first coupled to the portable modem testing device. Transmission oftest data from the portable modem testing device is then initiated. Thetransmission is received at the modem and the transmission is verified.

In another aspect of the method, the computer is coupled to the portablemodem testing device via an alternate communication link. After themodem has received the transmission from the portable modem testingdevice, a signal is transmitted from the computer to the portable modemtesting device via the alternate communication link.

These and other features of the invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer and a modem tester inaccordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an output test; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an input test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a computer 10 and a modem tester 30.The computer can be a personal computer such as a laptop or a desktopcomputer. The computer 10 includes a central processing unit 32, amemory 34 and an internal modem 12. The modem provides the capability tomodulate and demodulate signals. The modem 12 is typically used tocommunicate over telephone lines. The modem also includes aninput/output modem port 14 such as an RJ11 connector or jack. The RJ11jack can receive a typical RJ11 plug. An alternate communications port18, such as an RS232 serial port, is also present on the computer 10.

The modem tester 30 includes an outer case 31 and is shown coupled tothe computer 10 via the modem port 14 of the computer 10. Thecommunication can be accomplished via a cable 16 such as a typicaltelephone cable. Additionally, the modem tester 20 is also connected tothe computer 10 via the alternate port 18 of the computer 10 using anappropriate cable 24. This arrangement provides two communication linksbetween the computer 10 and the modem tester 30.

The modem tester 30 can include a signal reporting circuit 22 whichreports the signals received from the computer 10 via the modemcommunication line 16 back to the computer 10 via the alternate port 18.An electrical power source 26 is also included in the modem tester 30.The power source can be a battery or power can be provided by anexternal electrical power supply such as a typical electrical outlet.

The modem tester 30 includes an analog to digital converter 42 which iscoupled to a first communication port 43 which can be attached to thecase 31 so as to be easily accessible. The first port 43 can be, forexample, an RJ11 jack. Alternatively, the modem tester can include amodem having an analog to digital converter. A controller 44, such as amicroprocessor 44 and a memory 46, form the reporting circuit 22. Themicroprocessor 44 and the memory 46 are coupled to the analog to digitalconverter and to a port 48. Port 48 can be, for example, an RS232 serialport.

When in use, the modem 12 of the computer 10 is coupled to the analog todigital converter 42 via the connector 16 for the transmission of theelectrical signals between the modem 12 and the analog to digitalconverter 42. Additionally, the serial port 18 of the computer 10 iscoupled to the serial port 48 of the modem tester 30 via a connector 24.

Signals received over the connection 16 from the modem 12 by the analogto digital converter 42 are converted from an analog to a digital formand then stored in the memory 46. In addition, data stored in the memory46 can be transmitted by the serial port 48 over the connection 24 tothe serial port 18 of the computer 10. Both the port 18 and the port 48can be serial ports, parallel ports or any other communication portswhich will allow the communication of data between the computer 10 andthe modem tester 30.

An input device 45, such as a contact switch, is provided on the outsideof the modem tester 40 to receive input from a user. The input device 45can be used, for example, to initiate a transmit test. Similarly, asecond input device 47 can be provided on the outside of the modemtester so as to be accessible to a user. The second input device 47 canbe used to initiate a second test such as a receive test. Alternatively,other types of input devices known to those of ordinary skill in the artcould be used to carry out these functions.

The memory 34 of the computer 10 can be used to store a program whichcauses the central processing unit 32 to perform the steps of a modemtesting routine. Similarly, the memory 46 of the modem tester 30 canalso store a software program which can cause the controller 44 toexecute a reciprocal portion of a testing routine.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart which represents a sequence of operations or stepsperformed to test the output or transmit capability of a modem in acomputer such as personal computer 10 depicted in FIG. 1. As will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the steps of the testcan be carried out utilizing software stored in the memories of both themodem tester 30 and the computer 10. Alternatively, control of thesequence of operations or implementation of the steps can be under thecontrol of a program residing entirely and running entirely on eitherthe modem tester 30 or the computer 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, at a state 210 the test is initiated. For example,the test can be initiated by an operator using the input device 45. Themodem tester 30 then sends a signal via connection 24 or connection 16to the computer indicating that the test is initiated. Alternatively,the test can be initiated by input provided to the computer. Prior tothe test being initiated, connections 16 and 24 between the modem tester30 and the computer 10 (see FIG. 1) should be in place in order to allowcommunication between the two devices.

At a state 212 the modem 12 of the computer is instructed by the centralprocessing unit 32 to transmit a buffer of test data. Test data can bestored in the memory 34 of the computer 10. Alternatively, the test datacan be transmitted to the computer 10 from the modem tester 30 viaconnection 16 or connection 24.

At a state 214 the modem 12 transmits the test data over connection 16to the analog to digital converter 42 of the modem tester 30. At a state216, the analog to digital converter 42 receives the data in the form ofan analog signal and converts the analog signal back into digital data.That data is stored in the memory 46. Alternatively, the data from theanalog to digital converter 42 can be sent directly to port 48 to betransmitted over connection 24 to the port 18 of the computer 10,thereby reducing the need for memory 46 and microprocessor 44 in thetester 30.

At a state 218 the data stored in memory 46 is transmitted to thecomputer 10 via port 48 over connection 24 under the control ofmicroprocessor 44. At a state 220 port 18 of the computer receives thatdata which is then stored in memory 34. At a state 222 the computer 10compares the data received with the original data that was transmittedin order to confirm that the transmission was successful.

Alternatively, after the modem tester 30 receives the data from themodem 12, the modem tester 30 can compare the receive data against aknown data set to determine that the transmission was successful. Thatarrangement would eliminate the need for the connection 24.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart which represents the sequence of steps oroperations performed to test the input or receive capability of a modemin a computer such as personal computer 10 depicted in FIG. 1. As willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the steps or processof the test can be carried out utilizing software stored in the memoriesof both the modem tester 30 and the computer 10. Alternatively, controlof the sequence of operation can be under the control of the programresiding and running entirely on either the modem tester 30 or thecomputer 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, at a state 310 the test is initiated. For example,the test can be initiated by an operator using the input device 47. Themodem tester 30 then sends a signal via a connection 24 or connection 16to the computer 10 indicating that the test is initiated. Alternatively,the test can be initiated by input provided directly to the computer 10.Prior to the test being initiated, connections 16 and 24 between themodem tester 30 and the computer 10 (see FIG. 1) need to be in place inorder to allow communications between the two devices.

At a state 312 the modem 12 is initialized to receive data. For example,the CPU 32 can send a command to the modem 12. At a state 314 thecomputer 10 sends a signal to the modem tester 30 indicating that themodem 12 has been initialized to receive a transmission. For example,the CPU can send a signal via connection 24.

At a state 316 the modem tester 30 transmits test data via connection 16to the modem 12. At a state 318 the modem 12 receives the test data andstores that data. The data can be stored in an internal buffer of themodem 12 or can be stored in the memory 34 of the computer 10.

At a state 320 the test data received by the modem is verified asaccurate. This can be accomplished by the computer 10 having anidentical set of the test data. Alternatively, the receive data can betransmitted to the modem tester 30 via connection 24 and a comparisoncan take place in the modem tester 30. When the test data received bythe modem is verified to be accurate, as represented by a state 322, thetest has been completed successfully.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered in all respects only as a illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

1. A device for testing a modem, the device comprising: a signalreporting circuit; a first communication port configured to be directlycoupled to a modem in a computer, thereby forming a first communicationlink; and a second communication port coupled to a signal reportingcircuit and configured to be coupled to the computer, thereby forming asecond communication link that bypasses the modem, wherein the first andsecond communication links provide separate paths to the computer,wherein the signal reporting circuit is configured to send an initiationsignal to the computer via the second communication link to initiatetesting of the operation of the modem, wherein the signal reportingcircuit is configured to receive first test data from the modem via thefirst communication link and is configured to receive second test datavia the second communication link, and wherein the signal reportingcircuit is configured to verify the first test data by comparing thefirst test data with the second test data.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the signal reporting circuit comprises a microprocessor.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the signal reporting circuit furthercomprises a memory.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the memory isconfigured to store the first test data.
 5. The device of claim 3,wherein the memory is configured to store a software program havingexecutable instructions to control the microprocessor.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first communication port comprises an RJ11 jack. 7.The device of claim 1, wherein the first communication port isconfigured to couple to a cable.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein thesecond communication port comprises a serial port.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the second communication port comprises a parallelport.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an analog to digitalconverter coupling the first communication port to the signal reportingcircuit.
 11. A portable device for testing the operation of a modem, thedevice comprising: means for coupling to a modem in a computer via afirst communication link; means for coupling to the computer via analternate communication link that bypasses the modem, wherein the firstand alternate communication links provide separate paths to thecomputer; means for generating and sending a signal to the computer viathe alternate communication link to initiate testing of the operation ofthe modem in the computer; and means for verifying test data transmittedfrom the modem, wherein said means for verifying is configured toreceive a first transmission of the test data via the firstcommunication link and to receive a second transmission of the test datavia the alternate communication link, and wherein the means forverifying is configured to compare the first transmission of the testdata with the second transmission of the test data.
 12. The portabledevice of claim 11, further comprising a means for storing the firsttransmission of the test data.
 13. The portable device of claim 12,wherein the means for storing is further configured to store softwareinstructions capable of execution by the means for verifying.
 14. Theportable device of claim 11, wherein the means for coupling to the modemcomprises an RJ11 jack.
 15. The portable device of claim 11, wherein themeans for coupling to the modem is configured to communicate with acable.
 16. The portable device of claim 11, wherein the means forverifying comprises a processor.
 17. The portable device of claim 11,further comprising a battery.
 18. The portable device of claim 11,wherein the means for coupling to the computer comprises one of a serialport and a parallel port.
 19. An apparatus comprising: one or morecomputer processors of a modem testing device configured, to send asignal to a computer via a first communication link to initiate testingof the operation of a modem in the computer; and one or more computerprocessors configured to, verify a first transmission of test datareceived from the modem via a second communication link by comparing thefirst transmission of test data with a second transmission of test datareceived via the first communication link.
 20. The apparatus of claim19, wherein one or more computer processors are configured to store in amemory the test data from the first transmission.